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The Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) is one of the most widespread and common species of hoverfly (insect family Syrphidae) in the UK.

In all, there are about 270 species of hovefly known to occur in the British Isles. As their name suggests, these flies have the ability to hover and keep their bodies perfectly still whilst in flight.

The Marmalade Fly with its yellow/black colouring and buzz may easily be mistaken for a wasp but infact it is completely harmless to humans as it has no sting and it's weak mouthparts are designed for feeding on nectar so they can't even bite.

New for 2012! In a regular column on the blog, we've got a proper scientist in to talk about the insect world.

The scientist in question is my sister Bee, who, as well being a trained zoologist, also takes some very nice shots of things with lots of legs.

This colourful and charismatic spider is a member of the family Araneidae otherwise known as the orb-weavers.

These are the spiders that typically spin the large rounded webs used to catch passing insects in the sticky silk.

New for 2012! In a regular column on the blog, we've got a proper scientist in to talk about the insect world.

The scientist in question is my sister Bee, who, as well being a trained zoologist, also takes some very nice shots of things with lots of legs.

Millipedes are a widespread and fairly common group of animals often found amongst leaf litter and under rocks and stones.

There are around 10,000 species worldwide, of which less than 50 may be found in the UK.

The flat-backed millipede is one of the most common and easiest to recognise due to their flattened body shape. They may grow up to 20 mm long and has 30 pairs of legs.